{"id":20872,"date":"2022-04-20T13:50:56","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T13:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.riverly.com\/boating-holidays-on-the-vilaine\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T21:06:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T21:06:10","slug":"boating-holidays-on-the-vilaine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.riverly.com\/en\/blog\/boating-holidays-on-the-vilaine\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore Brittany peninsula and its waterway : the River Vilaine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Where is the River Vilaine?<\/h2>\nThe River Vilaine <\/strong> runs through the northwestern Brittany peninsula of France; it starts not far from the city of Rennes and flows down through the region, out into the Bay of Biscay.\n\nA main artery of water across the whole peninsula, the river\u2019s fantastic connections allow you to travel throughout Brittany with ease. It doesn\u2019t matter whether you\u2019re simply taking the picturesque route from the city to the coast, venturing off west to the Nantes-Brest Canal or north along the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance towards the channel.\n\nBoating holidays<\/a> that sail along River Vilaine <\/strong> offer up the perfect way to explore this region of France. A stand-alone region, Breton culture is a uniquely French way of life, as well as having its own history, cuisine and general Breton culture.\n\nTravelling along this waterway will also allow you to visit both sides of the country; its northerly English Channel side and its westerly Atlantic coast. With the iconic city of Rennes dividing the river into two sections, there is ample opportunity to explore both the French countryside and its bustling cities.\n\nBy heading south at the river\/canal junction, you can visit the famous city of Nantes, and by venturing north, you can also include Lorient in your River Vilaine cruise <\/strong>. With so much to see and do in the Breton peninsula, your holiday along the River Vilaine is one of the most rewarding in the entire French boating scene.\n\n \n

How to get to the River Vilaine<\/h2>\nThere are two main starting points for exploring the length and breadth of the River Vilaine <\/strong>. You can begin from the town of Saint-Martin-sur-Oust, which sits ever so slightly northwest of where the Nantes-Brest Canal joins the Vilaine River and close to the commune town of Redon.\n\nBy starting from this point, you can secure yourself a Nantes-Brest canal boat hire<\/a> service right away, before you begin your adventure down the river.\n\nThe small canalside town of Saint-Martin-sur-Oust is the perfect starting point if only to soak up the idyllic nature of a small Breton settlement. Really setting the scene of French waterway travel and everything you can expect from canal boat hire in France<\/a>. Although small, the surrounding area here is full to the brim with must-see sights, showing both local culture and its textured history.\n\nAlternatively, you can begin your River Vilaine <\/strong> adventure further north along the waterway, at the town of Melesse, just north of Rennes. With another Locaboat base here, hiring a River Vilaine boat <\/strong> becomes even easier. From this base, you can join the River Vilaine on its route, making your way south or heading north along the English Channel coast.\n\nGetting into this area of Brittany is made even easier thanks to the major cities of Rennes, Nantes and Lorient. Travelling from the other side of the country or from abroad is simplified down to these travel hubs. You can either take the train or fly into these major French cities, allowing you to begin your boating holidays at the starting points of Melesse and Saint-Martin-sur-Oust with ease.\n\nHowever you decide to get to River Vilaine <\/strong>, it is only going to add to your overall experience of the river routes in this area of northwest France.\n\n